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Restaurants
Singapore
Dempsey
Candlenut
Candlenut Reviews

Candlenut

Photo of restaurant Candlenut in Dempsey, Singapore
Candlenut is not bookable via Quandoo yet. To make a reservation, contact the restaurant using the details below. Checkout the opening hours first and bear in mind that if you reserve ahead, you won't have to wait in line.

Reviews of Candlenut (283)

Read what people think about Candlenut. All restaurant reviews are written by verified Quandoo diners. Learn more about Candlenut before you go by getting tips and ratings from other restaurant-goers. With real-life reviews, you can see what other diners loved about Candlenut and book a table with confidence!

5.2/6

283 reviews

5.2/6

283 reviews

Food:Outstanding
Atmosphere:Pleasant
Service:Great
Value for money:Good value
Waiting time:Exceptionally Good
Noise levels:Pleasant
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"Very good"
5/6
Karan N.7 years ago · 1 review

Good service, pleasant ambience. Pity they are moving! The desserts were great and the dishes we chose were well prepared. Hope they don't change their formula and prices when that start anew.

"Excellent"
6/6
Sooklan L.7 years ago · 1 review

Delicious authentic Peranakan dishes, impeccable service by wait staff Felix, owner and head chef Malcolm went above and beyond to serve us his amahkase 10-course dinner menu when I requested last minute at lunch! Will definitely visit again in my next Singapore trip, but will be at the new Dempsey location.

"Very good"
5/6
Linda H.7 years ago · 2 reviews

Great food, great service & casual ambience. Reasonable price. Portion might be small. I guess this will make you order few more dishes. Overall worth to visit this restaurant.

"Excellent"
6/6
Dominic L.7 years ago · 4 reviews

Authentic, delicious perankan food. Would highly recommend most dishes. Particular highlights include the crab curry, buah keluak dishes and the rendang. Also worth ordering their solid homemade drinks

"Very good"
5/6
Grace C.7 years ago · 2 reviews

Very nice Peranakan food, and unfortunately very difficult to book dinner for their Ah-ma-kase! But try anyway, because you'll be rewarded with wholesome homely delicious food.

"Very good"
5/6
Nathaniel S.7 years ago · 2 reviews

The food was great and the portion size was reasonable! Dessert was unique.. The chendol was rich in flavour! Really loved the ambience! Keep it up!

"Very good"
5/6
yucai y.7 years ago · 2 reviews

Candlenut really serves Great tasting peranakan food! Will definitely visit again in the future, and try the other dishes. Interesting desserts were available as well.

"Very good"
5/6
Joseph K.7 years ago · 2 reviews

As usual, it was a very pleasant experience. Ambience was nice but the highlight was definitely the food. In particular, what stood out to me was that you could really taste the freshness of the ingredients used. Thanks Malcolm!

"Excellent"
6/6
Timothy D.7 years ago · 2 reviews

Absolutely sensational food. I got giddier and giddier with each bite. Not for the faint of heart, because some of the later courses are PURE FIRE, but damn, those flavors are incredible. Can't wait to go back.

"Excellent"
6/6
Suzie W.7 years ago · 1 review

Wonderful experience ! never knew peranakan food can be so exquisite and layered. food was excellent and we thoroughly enjoyed the meal. will be back!c

"Average"
3/6
Yi Ching C.7 years ago · 10 reviews

Took a long time to figure out our reservation. Then we had to wait an hour for our mains while watching the next table who came after us finish their food. Food was decent but nothing especially memorable. We will not be back

"Excellent"
6/6
KarWai N.7 years ago · 4 reviews

This was my second time visit since this year, and the first since Candlenut received its Michelin star. I was not disappointed as literally all the dishes hit the perfect note. All the dishes have a distinctively peranakan signature to it, e.g. cincalok, sambal, ginger flower, and other spices, despite having a modern Western face. For example, wagyu beef satay and the shell-fish based soup. Amongst a table of great dishes, some of the best highlights of the evening are the pong tau hu soup, lamb rendang, and kuih salat. The service staff also deserve their praises, and Felix was as attentive as the first time I visit. I look forward to visit this place again.

"Very good"
5/6
Jenny T.7 years ago · 1 review

Food has great variety and the overall is good except that it is a little too pricey. Nice place for small gathering on any occasion.

"Average"
3/6
Gary C.7 years ago · 1 review

Very average. Expected far more after the Michelin star rating. There's probably much better peranakan food elsewhere, was honestly quite disappointed with the entire experience.

"Very good"
5/6
Sue-Ann C.7 years ago · 1 review

Fantastic Peranakan inspired food, great service, elegant yet homely ambience. Went there for the set dinner, will definitely return to try the lunch menu with more traditional Nonya cuisine

"Good"
4/6
Quandoo Diner7 years ago · 0 reviews

Good and tasty Peranakan food, but I had much higher expectations for a restaurant that received one Michelin star. There is nothing particularly fine about the food nor the presentation, I couldn't distinguish much difference with other Peranakan restaurants. The atmosphere is more like a sterile hotel restaurant and the service is only average.

"Excellent"
6/6
Harold A.7 years ago · 1 review

We had the dinner tasting menu. The food was flavorful and of very good variety. Portions were just right. Very attentive service by our waiter. We are pleasantly surprised to be offered a glass of champagne to celebrate Candlenut's Michelin star!

"Excellent"
6/6
James P.7 years ago · 1 review

staff were friendly and helpful, food was fabulous and worth the time and effort. Highly recommended and do go for their lunch timings if you know what you want to eat there!

"Average"
3/6
John C.7 years ago · 1 review

Good food but disappointed restaurant refused to give a glass of water even though 6 of us ordered drinks and spent $500. Insisted that we order mineral water. Their loss because we intended to book the restaurant for a private dinner later.

"Very good"
5/6
Christine K.7 years ago · 2 reviews

Nice ambiance - quiet and relax. Food is excellent. It was my first time trying this cuisine and I fell in love with it after eating at Candlenut.

"Very good"
5/6
Shirley T.7 years ago · 3 reviews

Food was fantastic. We enjoyed every single dish. However, the service was so-so. I wish the staff was more enthusiastic in introducing the dishes and that will do justice to the food.

"Very good"
5/6
Melvin S.7 years ago · 7 reviews

The food was good. Loved the sambal sotong and the bakwan kepiting especially. Desserts were also good. The buah keluak ice cream was novel and interesting (note, finish this first before eating any other dessert). The chendol cream was nice but the textures of coconut is a must-try. Service could be better. Although staff are efficient, there is a lack of warmth.

"Very good"
5/6
Shaffique A.7 years ago · 2 reviews

Food was good (as usual). Service was okay. Favourite dishes were the kueh pie, snapper with sambal, and the wok fried squid. Chendol panacota and durian ice cream were also very good. Tapioca was average. Sparkling sour plum drink was a disappointment. Servers not as attentive as they could have been. Overall an enjoyable evening.

"Very good"
5/6
Lynn N.7 years ago · 5 reviews

Fabulous food with a wide range of selection and tasty belachan chilli, and good service. Good place for a business lunch too. Will be back again!

"Very good"
5/6
Hoon K.7 years ago · 3 reviews

The food is outstanding but their insistence that we could only have bottled water and their refusal to serve us perfectly safe Singapore tap water (even though we said we would pay for it) did detract from the experience. Otherwise, I would have given it a 6.

"Excellent"
6/6
Andrew T.7 years ago · 2 reviews

It was my 3rd time dining there. Still a wonderful dining experience. The waiter was attentive and professional. The food was delicious and distinctive especially their desserts. Will definitely return.

"Very good"
5/6
Pei-San T.7 years ago · 1 review

Innovative interpretations that do not feel like chef is trying to hard. The service staff are knowledgeable, available and prompt without being intrusive. Will definitely return.

"Excellent"
6/6
Emma R.7 years ago · 4 reviews

Really delicious and interesting menu. Service was quick, and the staff were courteous, knowledgable and welcoming. Lovely casual setting. I had emailed prior to arriving, about 1 of our party who had an allergy to belacan in Peranakan cooking, and the staff remembered this and were very helpful about choices that our friend could make. I'd definitely recommend his restaurant.

"Excellent"
6/6
Patricia D.7 years ago · 1 review

If people want to experience a modernised version of Singaporean cuisine besides chicken rice and chili crab, try Candlenut. Flavours are complex and bold, menu is always changing, and the service and staff is great.

"Good"
4/6
serena q.7 years ago · 5 reviews

The food is excellent. This is one of the best Peranakan Cuisine in town. Dinner is pre-set omakase menu, which would allow you enjoy a selection of the best Nonya dishes. It's good value for money too - only SGD 60 dollar per head. Service is a bit lacking though. The old uncle has ear problem that may take wrong orders, not professional serving champagne. But friendly and genuine so I'm not blaming him. Check out SerenaGourmet on Instagram for more food pictures for Candlenut.

"Very good"
5/6
Leonie F.7 years ago · 5 reviews

Very good meal. Most interesting cuisine and excellent service. Exquisite flavours and good value I would thoroughly recommend for anyone interested in trying unusual food

"Very good"
5/6
Terence T.7 years ago · 1 review

Food was good. Innovative and not straying too far from the traditional taste. A bit pricey but ok given the quality. Corkage charges could be lower given the very limited wine list. They don't serve tap water but make up for it by listing mineral water for $4 for 500ml or $6 for 1litre.

"Very good"
5/6
Dr Dennis L.7 years ago · 2 reviews

Food presentation is good and dishes are tasty. Staff are excellent.

"Very good"
5/6
Jason C.7 years ago · 1 review

Great service, classy ambiance and peranakan food like you've never tasted. Would highly recommend to friends. They also do events, which is great; 5 stars.

"Excellent"
6/6
Ed K.7 years ago · 1 review

Such a fun place. Food and service wonderful. Owners taught us so much about their culture and food.Next time we are in Singapore we will be back!

"Very good"
5/6
Kay A.7 years ago · 1 review

The fixed price menue offered an excellent selection of peranakan dishes. The dessert were as good. The place and the setting is modern, but not noisy. The early closing time of 22.00 was the only drawback

"Excellent"
6/6
Greg S.7 years ago · 2 reviews

A comprehensive set menu gave a wonderful range of tastes and textures with everything beautifully presented and served by friendly and attentive staff. Thoroughly recommended.

"Excellent"
6/6
Cecillia W.7 years ago · 2 reviews

Awesome food and impeccable service. Will definitely visit. However I prefer the ala carte menu as there are more variety and choices. Too good!!! I

"Good"
4/6
Quandoo Diner7 years ago · 0 reviews

Exquisite Peranakan food - they've only got a tastings menu now without any ala carte menu but the selection was delightful. All 3 dessert items on the menu were out of this world! And all the main dishes were hits! Just 2 minor gripes though. While the staff were polite and professional, they lacked warmth, tact and initiative: - The staff who pointed the toilet out to me did not warn me that the automatic tap wasn't working, so I ended up soaping my hands with no water to rinse :X I had to open the door with my elbow and get a staff to help. She simply told me 'oh not working use (bidet) hose'. I said 'you should have a sign!'. She said "yes 'there' -> pointing at a dainty note ON THE DOOR OUTSIDE telling patrons who would already be inside the toilet that the tap was faulty and that they should use the (BIDET) HOSE to wash their hands. That's kinda gross, especially since some people may use the hose for their intended purpose - to wash their asses. But luckily the staff held it for me so I'm cool! - For a considerably fine-dining place, I personally found the way the staff went around telling patrons that 'belachan is chargeable' or 'hot water is chargeable' abit tactless. Should put it across in a better way. However, all in all the food made up for the minor gripes - just be prepared to pay for the little extras you ask for, and don't use the toilet; and your visit would be perfect.

"Very good"
5/6
Amos T.7 years ago · 2 reviews

Food was an interestingly refreshing mix between traditional peranakan and present-day flavours and tastes. Service was good with every request entertained warmly. Ambience was nice and inviting.

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